Animals also suffering after latest winter storm

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The ice storm is finally over, and as Wilmington and surrounding areas thaw out, so do the wild animals.

Snapped branches, fallen tree limbs and leaves are more than just debris. They are homes to many.

The winter storm has caused all sorts of problems for people in the Port City, but for animals who live outside, the freezing temperatures and blankets of ice have left many injured and homeless.

Jennifer Leonard of Coastal Carolina Wildlife Rehab has made it her mission to rescue wildlife. She says after a storm of this magnitude, you may find injured or orphaned animals while cleaning up debris.

“Like this guy was hit by a car yesterday afternoon at the Harris Teeter parking lot, and a college student found him and brought him in, because she didn’t want to leave him there,” Leonard said of a sea gull she’s helping.

Leonard says if you do come across an injured animal to put it in a warm quiet place and do not feed it. She says to bring the animal to them, and they will do their best to get it back where it belongs in the wild.